Lyn Sticpewich was jailed for at least six months for stealing more than $130,000 cash to fund her gambling habit.Source: News Limited

A HOBART firm which sacked its office manager for incompetence had no idea the woman had helped herself to more than $130,000 in company funds, the Supreme Court heard yesterday.

Lyn Sticpewich was jailed yesterday for stealing the cash to fund her gambling habit in the hope a big win would pay off her mounting credit card debts and also for time off she needed for a back operation, the court was told.

The 60-year-old from Garden Island Creek, pleaded guilty to 30 counts of computer-related fraud and one count of obtaining goods by false pretences.

Crown Prosecutor Jackie Hartnett said Sticpewich was sacked by Weatherfoil Pty Ltd for incompetence in April 2011.

The prosecutor said that between August 2008 and April 2011, Sticpewich had stolen $131,397.70 and paid it into her personal accounts.

The court heard the thefts nearly bought the company to its knees and forced the company’s founder to delay his retirement for years.